📄 How to Properly Wash and Detail Your Stainless Steel Tesla Cybertruck
Owning a Tesla Cybertruck means maintaining one of the most unique automotive finishes in the world: stainless steel.
This guide walks you through how to safely clean and protect your Cybertruck using proven professional methods.
🧰 Materials Needed:
(Click on each to be taken to an Amazon affiliate link where you can purchase.)
Cybertruck Specific Items:
🛠Full Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Full Exterior Wash (First Stage)
Start by performing a complete exterior wash following our Tesla Exterior Wash Guide:
✅ Preparation:
Fill one bucket with plain water (for your rinse bucket with grit guard).
Fill two buckets with soap and water (washing buckets).
Place wash mitts in one soapy bucket (with a grit guard).
Place the glass wash mitt in the second soapy bucket (no grit guard).
✅ Rinsing:
Rinse the entire vehicle from top to bottom using your power washer.
Do not forget to thoroughly rinse the rims.
✅ Foam Application:
Fill the foam cannon with a 1:8 soap-to-water ratio.
Foam the entire vehicle.
✅ Glass Cleaning:
Using the glass wash mitt, clean only the windows and glass surfaces.
Important: Never cross-contaminate glass mitts with paint or steel.
✅ Body Washing:
Dip the wash mitt in the water bucket, then into the soap bucket.
Wash side-to-side only (no circular motions) to prevent swirl marks.
After each panel, rinse the mitt in the water bucket before reloading with soap.
✅ Rinsing and Drying:
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with clean water.
Squeegee the glass only.
Use drying towels to dry the paint and bodywork carefully.
✅ Your Cybertruck is now clean and ready for stainless steel treatment.
2. Preparing for Stainless Steel Surface Treatment
It is strongly recommended to have a second person assist you at this stage.
The Cybertruck’s raw stainless steel panels can stain or etch if chemical products are left too long.
3. Applying Bar Keepers Friend (Stainless Steel Polishing)
✅ How to apply:
Apply a generous amount of Bar Keepers Friend Liquid onto a Cybertruck cleaning sponge.
Work on one panel at a time.
✅ Scrubbing technique:
Rub with firm, strong left-to-right motions only.
Do not use circular motions — maintaining a horizontal grain is critical to the Cybertruck’s finish.
Cover the entire panel thoroughly.
4. Immediate Rinse After Scrubbing
✅ As you scrub each panel:
Your helper must immediately rinse the panel using the power washer.
Do not allow Bar Keepers Friend to dry or sit too long — it can cause staining or etching.
✅ Work as a team:
One person scrubs →
Second person rinses immediately behind.
This is essential for safely maintaining the Cybertruck’s stainless steel appearance.
5. Final Wash (Second Stage)
After all panels have been polished and thoroughly rinsed:
✅ Perform a quick soap and water wash.
You do not need an intensive foam cannon treatment.
A light hand wash ensures all chemical residue is removed.
✅ Final rinse completely with clean water.
6. Final Drying
✅ Using clean, soft drying towels:
Dry the stainless steel thoroughly.
Pay special attention to prevent water spots — stainless steel shows spots more visibly than paint.
✅ Ensure rims, trim, and door jambs are also wiped dry.
🎉 Congratulations!
You have successfully and professionally:
Cleaned your Tesla Cybertruck’s stainless steel body,
Preserved its unique factory finish,
Protected against future staining, etching, or spotting.
✅ Proper care = Your Cybertruck stays looking brand new for years to come!
